Dak Prescott, Cowboys Offense Stumble in Loss to Packers

The Dallas Cowboys dropped to 2-4 on the season after a 23-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers on October 18, 2026, at Lambeau Field. The defeat highlighted persistent offensive struggles under head coach Brian Schottenheimer and quarterback Dak Prescott, leaving the team searching for answers in a struggling NFC East.

Prescott and Cowboys Offense Stumble Against Packers Defense

What was expected to be a high-flying attack turned into a grind. Entering the season with ambitions of fielding what Dak Prescott wanted the Greatest Offense There Is, the Cowboys instead found themselves blanked in the first half of a game for the first time since November 2021.

Prescott finished 34-of-54 for 258 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions, enduring relentless pressure from a Green Bay defense coordinated by Johnathan Gannon. The Packers deployed zone coverage on nearly 77 percent of Prescott’s dropbacks, forcing the quarterback to throw underneath and holding him to just 4.3 yards per attempt.

Prescott threw two interceptions on back-to-back drives in the second quarter to halt promising drives, including one intended for CeeDee Lamb after the receiver slipped on his cut. Dallas faced their worst record through six games since 2020. With receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens on the roster, the unit still struggled to sustain any rhythm.

Packers defensive coordinator Johnathan Gannon deployed zone coverage on 76.8% of Prescott’s dropbacks, holding the quarterback without a touchdown while recording both interceptions and the game’s lone sack in zone coverage. The loss marked the Cowboys’ record falling to 2-4, echoing a similar 2-4 mark for the Philadelphia Eagles whom Dallas faces next on Monday Night Football on October 26 at 8:15 p.m. ET.

The defense, to me, played a good enough game for us to go out there and win this, and we just didn’t hold our own on offense, and that’s what ultimately sucks about it.

Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys quarterback

Christian Parker Defense Shows Signs of Life Amid Penalty Woes

While the offense stalled, the Dallas defense engineered a notable turnaround after a shaky start. Defensive coordinator Christian Parker, supported by the recent addition of retired defensive coach Mike Pettine, limited the Packers to just 57 rushing yards and did not give up a touchdown in the second half.

Dee Winters secured the Cowboys’ first interception of the season, picking off Jordan Love in the second quarter to snap a dry spell dating back to the previous year. However, undisciplined play undid those defensive gains.

Dallas committed 11 penalties for 106 yards, with false starts, holding calls, and pass interference penalties continuously short-circuiting momentum.

Green Bay Builds Momentum as Jordan Love Shines

The Packers secured their third straight victory, improving to 4-2 after a sluggish 1-2 start to the campaign. Jordan Love completed 23 of 41 passes for 276 yards and a touchdown, connecting frequently with Matthew Golden, who hauled in six catches for 104 yards and a score despite dropping potential touchdown passes.

Linebacker Zaire Franklin pointed to the team’s defensive trajectory following the win. I think every week we continue to get better and better Franklin told reporters, noting that limiting explosive plays and taking the ball away remain the foundation of their success.

Brian Schottenheimer Addresses the 2-4 Record Ahead of Philadelphia Matchup

Head coach Brian Schottenheimer faced questions after the loss regarding his play-calling and the offense’s inability to establish a running game. The Cowboys managed just 48 yards on the ground, averaging 3.2 yards per carry.

Because of the lack of a running game, we’re a little bit one-sided and the best way to be on offense as a unit is to have balance. So we have to find balance.

Brian Schottenheimer, Dallas Cowboys head coach

Despite every team in the NFC East losing over the weekend, the Cowboys find themselves at the bottom of the division alongside Philadelphia at 2-4. Dallas gets an extra day to prepare before traveling to face the Eagles on October 26.

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